Mining machine launching and conveyor storage system



June 2, 1964 R. MUEHLMAN 3,135,502

MINING MACHINE LAUNCHING AND CONVEYOR STORAGE SYSTEM Filed July 16, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. RAY L. MUEHLMAN ATTORNEY June 2, 1964 R. 1.. MUEHLMAN 3,135,502

MINING MACHINE LAUNCHING AND CONVEYOR STORAGE SYSTEM Filed July 16, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

RAY L. MUEHLMAN BY 4 TORNE United States Patent 3,135,502 MINING MACHINE LAUNCHING AND CONVEYOR STORAGE SYSTEM Ray L. Muehlman, Charleston, W. Va., assignor to Union Carbide Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed July 16, 1959, Ser. No. 827,637 12 Claims. (Cl. 262-26) This invention relates to mining, and more particularly to continuous mining and conveying systems.

The invention provides, in a continuous bore mining apparatus, the combination comprising a launching platform provided with self-propelled support means for moving the platform from one launching position to another, a continuous mining machine having a train of conveyor sections coupled thereto, and means on said platform for storing said machine and the entire train in so-coupled relation thereon, including means acting to progressively elevate said train with respect to and substantially above said machine as the latter is retracted after each mining operation, so that when said machine is launched substantially horizontally from the platform the forward thrust thereof is assisted by the force of gravity acting on the so-elevated train coupled thereto, the total horizontal area of the so-stored conveyor train and machine being greater than that of said platform.

In the art of bore mining, as disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,826,402, a train of wheeled conveyors served to convey the mined material such as coal from the mining machine through the bore-hole to a station outside of the mine. The train was made up of individual conveyors, which were connected as needed on a launching platform in stages as the machine advanced, and removed from the train and platform as the machine retreated. Conveyors in reserve were stored on the ground adjacent the launching platform.

US. Patent No. 2,780,451 discloses an improvement in that the conveyors remained permanently coupled into a train, and were guided around a curve on the launching platform so that the reserve portion of the train not in the bore-hole was stored along the ground off the launching platform.

In the first ease considerable time was lost in lifting, positioning, and coupling each conveyor section to the train on the platform during the mining operation, as well as uncoupling such sections from the train and removing them from such platform and transporting them to the ground storage area. The latter operation was especially troublesome and time consuming because upwards of thirty conveyors about thirty feet long weighing about two tons each had to be individually transported from the platform to the ground storage area a distance or" upwards of one hundred feet.

In the second case, it was necessary to disconnect the train and remove reserve conveyor sections remaining on theplatform therefrom, so thatv the latter could be moved to a new mining site free of the conveyor train stored on the ground. The trainthen had to be moved into position and reconnected for subsequent'operation. Both were troublesome and time consuming steps.

In both cases mud, snow, and ice greatly increased the time and trouble involved in so handling the conveyor systems of the prior art, in which conveyor sections in reserve were stored on the ground.

The main objects of this invention are to eliminate such difliculties and avoid the time delays involved in the prior art.

Other objects are to increase materially the efficiency and effectiveness of this'type of mining, and improve the safety of working conditions for the operators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved launching platform for a bore mining machine in which a conveyor train coupled to the machine is completely parked while connected, above the ground, in a relatively compact coil that is free to unwind to feed the train during the mining operation, and wind to store the train during the backing-non-mining step.

Briefly, according to the invention, there is provided a train storage device comprising a mobile base, a spiral track mounted on the base for storing a train of vehicles, together with means for moving such base and track with the train stored thereon from one place to another.

The invention also 'provides'in combination a train of vehicles, and a device for storing and moving a train comprising a mobile base, a spiral track mounted on the base for storing the train of vehicles, and means for moving the device including the track with the train stored thereon from one place to another.

In another aspect, the invention provides a combined conveyor storage device and launching platform for a crawler mounted mining machine connected to elongated continuous conveyor means, comprising a mobile base, means on the base for supporting the crawler mounted mining machine in launching position, means for storing all of the elongated continuous conveyor means on the base, and means for moving the base from one place to another with the crawler mounted mining machine and the entire elongated continuous conveyor means thereon.

The invention further provides a method of handling a crawler mounted mining machine and elongated con tinuous conveyor means, comprising a reserve portion connected thereto, which comprises storing such so-connected reserve portion of the elongated continuous conveyor means on a mobile base provided with a launching area for such machine, and advancing such machine with such conveyor means connected thereto over such launching area while continuously supplying the conveyor means with the so-stored reserve portion thereof.

This invention is a real improvement over the prior art in that all of the conveyors in reserve are stored above the ground, out of contact with mud, ice and snow. The mining machine and conveyor train also are movable as a unit and readily positioned to bore a new hole. This avoids the great loss of time and trouble associated with uncoupling and coupling the conveyor train and machine every time a move is made.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG.- 1 is a side elevation of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.

As shown in the drawings, a crawler mounted mining machine 1 is coupled to an elongated continuous conveyor consisting of a train of self-propelled, wheeled conveyor sections 2, 3, etc., stored on a spiral or helical parking track 4. Such track is mounted on posts A on a launching platform comprising a mobile base B which is supported by a carriage including motor driven, steerable crawler assemblies 7, 8 and 9. Cable reels C and control house 15 are also mounted on the platform. Also carried by the platform under the base'B is a trans fer conveyor 5 which is adapted to receive mined material, such as coal, discharged by the conveyor asit advances with the mining machine 1 over the launching area D of the platform. Elevating and leveling lifts such as hydraulic cylinders 10, 11 and 12'support the base B on the crawler assemblies 7, 8 and 9.

In FIG. 1, the mining machine lhas just entered a coal seam at the outcrop. Wheeled'conveyors 2, 3et seq., attached to the mining machine, are stored on the helical track 4. Mined coal is discharged upon'transfer conveyor 5 as the conveyor train and machine advance, in the manner described in US. Patent 2,780,451. Such conveyor discharges into the loading conveyor 6 which, in turn, loads the coal into trucks. Steerable crawler as- 3 semblies 7, 8 and 9 support the weight of the structure through the adjustable hydraulic cylinders 10, 11 and 12. Such crawler assemblies are self-propelled, to move the entire structure to the proper location for starting a borehole. The hydraulic cylinders serve to establish the proper elevation.

FIG. 2 shows runways 13 and 14- which support the mining machine while the structure is being moved. A control house 15 is mounted on the base B. Such house contains switch-gear and other associated equipment for controlling the operation of the mining machine and the movement of the conveyor storage structure. The control house 15 is provided with a door G for entrance of the operator, who can observe the operation of the system through windows H in the wall of such house.

In operation, the combined assembly is moved to a mining location such as a shelf E adjacent a highwall F. The launching platform is positioned at the proper elevation and alignment for the mining machine to properly enter the desired strata to be mined. The machine then is advanced toward such highwall F and into such strata to mine selected earth material while unwinding the train including the conveyor sections 2, 3, etc. from the coil in which they are stored on the spiral track 4. Simultaneously, the so-mined material is continuously conveyed rearwardly to the outside of the highwall by the conveyor sections between the machine and the transfer conveyor 5. As the reserve sections are drawn into the area over the transfer conveyor 5, they automatically go intooperation as part of the conveyor system.

At the end of the operation, the empty conveyor train is backed onto the spiral storage track on the launching platform, until the machine 1 is entirely on the base B. The entire assembly including the machine and conveyor train, then is moved to a new mining site on the shelf E adjacent highwall F.

The invention provides a novel method of handling the conveyor train connected to a bore-mining machine, which comprises winding such train in the form of a coil as the machine moves in a backward non-mining direction, moving such coil to a selected mining site having a high-wall, advancing such machine toward such high-wall and into selected earth material to mine the latter while unwinding the train from such coil, and simultaneously conveying the so-mined material rearwardly from the machine to the outside of such high-wall.

The invention also provides a launching platform'for a continuous automatic bore-mining machine, comprising a spiral parking track for a conveyor train connected to said machine, consisting of a plurality of convolutions for storing such train when the machine is backed onto the platform, and for feeding such train behind the machine as it advances in mining selected earth material.

The system of the present invention requires a minimum of supervision for the reason that the conveyor sections of the train are self-propelled in backing up on the storage track which automatically guides them into the storage area thereon, as well as out of such area as the entire train advances in mining.

What is claimed is:

1. A train storage device comprising a mobile base, a spiral track mounted on said base for storing a train of vehicles flexibly connected to each other in tandem end-toend relation, part of which train moves on the track in mining as well as in backing out of a mine hole, and means for'moving said base and track with the train stored thereon from one place to another, said means acting to support the entire device.

2. In combination, a flexibly coupled train of tandem vehicles, and a device for storing and moving said train comprising a mobile base, a spiral track mounted on said base for storing said flexibly coupled train of tandem vehicles, and means for moving said device including said track with said flexibly coupled train stored thereon from one place to another. A

3. A combination defined by claim 2, in which said spiral track has a continuous single track portion, and at least some of said vehicles are provided with individual traction drive means.

4. A combined conveyor storage device and launching platform for a mining machine connected to the front end of a conveyor comprising sections flexibly connected endto-end, comprising a mobile base on which part of said conveyor moves in mining, and also in backing out of a mine hole, means mounted on said base for storing said conveyor in the form of a coil while so connected to said machine, and means for moving said device with said conveyor and mining machine thereon from one place to another.

5. Method of handling a conveyor train connected to a bore-mining machine, which comprises winding such train in the form of a coil as the machine moves in a backward non-mining direction, moving such coil to a selected mining site having a high-wall, advancing such machine toward such high-wall and into selected earth material to mine the latter while unwinding the train from such coil, and simultaneously conveying the so-mined material rearwardly from the machine to the outside of such high-wall.

6. A train storage device as claimed in claim 1, in which said mobile base comprises a launching platform for a continuous automatic bore-mining machine, in which said spiral parking track is for a conveyor train connected to said machine, and consists of a plurality of two-way single track convolutions for storing such train when the machine is backed in reverse direction onto the platform, and for feeding such train behind the machine as it advances in a forward direction over the same track in mining selected earth material.

7. In combination, a mobile carriage, a launching platform mounted on said carriage, a helical track mounted on said platform, a bore-mining machine carried by said platform for movement toward and away from a prepared high-wall adjacent said platform, a flexibly connected train of conveyors supported on said track in connection with said mining machine, and motor driven means for moving said carriage on a horizontal shelf extending from the bottom of such high-wall; said flexibly connected train being fed from said helical track as the machine advances in bore-mining and continuously conveying the earth material mined thereby rearwardly from the mine face to said platform, and said flexibly connected train being stored on said track as the machine backs out of each bore mined thereby.

8. Launching platform for a bore-mining system including a machine coupled to a flexibly connected train of conveyors which convey the mined material rearwardly in. a continuous flow as the machine bores into the earth, said launching platform comprising a helical track on which such flexibly connected train is mounted for storage when the machine is in starting position on the platform, and on which the flexibly connected train moves as the machine advances in mining, and retracts after each mining operation, and a mobile carriage supporting the entire platform for movement into mining position, and from one mining position to another While such machine and flexibly connected train are stored on said helical track.

9. In combination a flexibly coupled train of vehicles comprising conveyors linked so as to form a continuous conveyor, and a device for storing and moving said train comprising a mobile base, a spiral track mounted on said base for storing said train of vehicles, and means for moving said device including said track with said train stored thereon from one place to another.

10. In combination, a flexibly coupled train of vehicles including a mining machine connected to the front end thereof, and a device for storing and moving said train comprising a mobile base, a spiral track mounted on said base for storing said train of vehicles, and means for moving said device including said track with said train stored thereon from one place to another.

11. A train storage device comprising a mobile base, a spiral track mounted on said base for storing a train of flexibly coupled vehicles, part of which train moves on the track in mining as well as in backing out of a mine hole, and steerable crawler assemblies supporting the entire device including said track with said train stored thereon for moving the entire device from one place to another.

12. In continuous bore mining apparatus, the combination comprising a launching platform provided with selfpropelled support means for moving the platform from one launching position to another, a continuous mining machine having a train of conveyor sections coupled thereto, and means on said platform for storing said machine and the entire train in so-coupled relation thereon, including means acting to progressively elevate said train with respect to and substantially above said machine as the latter is retracted after each mining operation, so that when said machine is launched substantially horizontally from the platform the forward thrust thereof is assisted by the force of gravity acting on the so-elevated train coupled thereto, the total horizontal area of the so-stored conveyor train and machine being greater than that of said platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,616,677 Compton Nov. 4, 1952 2,780,451 Alspaugh et a1. Feb. 5, 1957 2,826,402 Alspaugh et a1 Mar. 11, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES Engineering News Record, July 22, 1948, p. 78. 

7. IN COMBINATION, A MOBILE CARRIAGE, A LAUNCHING PLATFORM MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE, A HELICAL TRACK MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM, A BORE-MINING MACHINE CARRIED BY SAID PLATFORM FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM A PREPARED HIGH-WALL ADJACENT SAID PLATFORM, A FLEXIBLY CONNECTED TRAIN OF CONVEYORS SUPPORTED ON SAID TRACK IN CONNECTION WITH SAID MINING MACHINE, AND MOTOR DRIVEN MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CARRIAGE ON A HORIZONTAL SHELF EXTENDING FROM THE BOTTOM OF SUCH HIGH-WALL; SAID FLEXIBLY CONNECTED TRAIN BEING FED FROM SAID HELICAL TRACK AS THE MACHINE ADVANCES IN BORE-MINING AND CONTINUOUSLY CONVEYING THE EARTH MATERIAL MINED THEREBY REARWARDLY FROM THE MINE FACE TO SAID PLATFORM, AND SAID FLEXIBLY CONNECTED TRAIN BEING STORED ON SAID TRACK AS THE MACHINE BACKS OUT OF EACH BORE MINED THEREBY. 